How to survive, and maybe even thrive, this weekend at Evanston

Some general observations and suggestions for first-time participants, coaches and parents involved in the high school boys swimming and diving state championshps Friday and Saturday at Evanston Township High School.

The ideas below are the result of having competed a few times in the state meet, including my senior year at ETHS, and having had a front-row seat to what a friend has called "the greatest show on earth" for about 20 times as a sports writer.

Participants

• First of all, welcome to the crucible.

• Please adjust your personal-space settings to the most tolerant and patient one available to you. This is critical to your success.

• The value of quality teammates is never greater than on deck at the state meet. Relay alternates make excellent gear-tenders and space-protectors. Trust people from your own program, and absolutely no one else.

• Be thankful that Evanston has a small warm-down pool. Use it.

• If you are a modest person who values privacy, be forewarned that the wisdom of this outlook will be challenged should you choose to use the restroom facilities in the locker rooms adjacent to the pool.

• Let the amazing history and energy of the place carry you to places you have never been before.

• It will be a little bit less crowded on deck for the Saturday session. But only a little bit.

• Friday is for swimming fast. Saturday is for racing - and, if at all possible, swimming faster.

• Take a moment to look around you - this is your swimming family, the best of the best. Many of you have been competing against one another for as long as you can remember, and for just as many, this is the last time you'll see one another.

On these grounds, it is OK to cheer for anybody you know, as well as anyone who achieves greatness.

Coaches

• Smile. Some of your swimmers will feel vulnerable and maybe even a little scared, thus they will be watching you more closely than usual. Projecting a positive vibe goes a long way toward reducing anxiety.

• The preceding suggestion is especially important if one of your swimmers has a disappointing race. The rest of your team needs to know that one setback does not determine the whole of your team's performance.

• Now is not the time, and Evanston is certainly not the place, to wonder if you did enough yardage in December.

• Congratulations on helping these athletes get where they area. They might not articulate it right now, but they are deeply thankful.

Parents

• First of all, welcome to the crucible.

• Please adjust your personal-space settings to the most tolerant and patient one available to you. This is critical to your enjoyment.

• Having a swimmer in this meet means you have raised someone fully immersed in the sport. Applaud that success, irrespective of the outcomes.

• But applaud especially hard if your swimmer or diver is able to compete again on Saturday.

• It is not the coach's fault that no ticket was available for Aunt Gertrude. The exclusivity of this event adds to its intimacy. Relish your attendance privilege.

• Do not expect your athlete to appreciate this weekend from a parenting standpoint. Other parents will be your only source of empathy.

• A heat sheet doubles as a nice personal temperature regulator.

• By all means, go out for lunch Friday before prelims. Settle your nerves somehow - you'll think of something.

• Be nice to those around you in the stands. Stay hydrated. You are all in this together.

agabriel@dailyherald.com